Fit flexible side insert for upper body garments

ABSTRACT

The disclosed upper body garments are designed to address the need for knit shapewear that stays in place, is not visible through outerwear, and is still able to provide excellent shaping. Particularly, the upper body garments disclosed herein include left and right side inserts that extend upward from the lower edge of the garment. The side inserts help the lower portion of the garment to adapt to the individual shape of the wearer. In some embodiments, the left and right side inserts are not visible on the exterior surface of the garment. Methods of making the upper body garments including the side inserts are also disclosed herein.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62/730,667, filed Sep. 13, 2018, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Shapewear garments are useful for smoothing bulges and providing the wearer with a slimmer silhouette. Upper body shapewear covers the wearer's abdominal area and is worn under the clothes, smoothing and controlling the location of soft tissue that would otherwise create bulges. However, there remains a need for knit shapewear that stays in place, is not visible through outerwear, and is still able to provide excellent shaping.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are upper body garments including a main body portion and left and right side inserts attached to the main body portion. The left and right side inserts at least partially define left and right portions of the lower edge of the upper body garment, and extend upward from the left and right portions of the lower edge. The left and right side inserts are configured to facilitate conforming the lower edge of the main body portion to a wearer.

In some embodiments, the left and right side inserts are not visible on the exterior surface of the upper body garment. An exterior layer of fabric may be used to conceal the left and right side inserts.

The left and right side inserts can widen as they extend toward the lower edge of the garment. For example, in some embodiments, the left and right side inserts are triangular in shape. To reduce movement of the garment in relation to the wearer, a high friction coating can be positioned on an inner surface of the left and right side inserts. The high friction coating has a higher coefficient of friction than the material immediately surrounding the coating. In some examples, an interior surface of the left and right side regions can include a region with exposed elastic threads configured to directly contact the body of the wearer to reduce sliding or riding up.

The left and right side inserts can be attached to the main body portion by one or more seams. In some embodiments, left and right lateral side seams extend from the left and right arm holes of the main body portion to a superior edge of the left and right side inserts. In some embodiments, the left lateral side seam is continuous with either a front left insert seam or a back left insert seam, and the right side lateral seam is continuous with either a front right insert seam or a back right insert seam.

In some embodiments, the main body portion includes a knit material. The left and right side inserts can include a spandex material. In some embodiments, the left and right side inserts can include a hosiery or hosiery-like material. The left and right side inserts can be less compressive than the main body portion. In some embodiments, the left and right side inserts have a higher elongation than the main body portion.

Methods of making the upper body garments are also disclosed herein. The methods include providing the main body portion, providing the left and right side inserts, and attaching the left and right side inserts to the main body portion such that the side inserts define left and right portions of the lower edge of the upper body garment (and extend upward from that lower edge). In some embodiments, the method comprises cutting triangular panels from a fabric that comprises spandex. In some embodiments, the main body portion is provided with left and right triangular shaped gaps. In some embodiments, attaching the left and right side inserts includes stitching a left triangular panel to the left side of the main body portion such that the lower edge of the left side of the main body portion is formed by the left triangular panel, and stitching a right triangular panel to the right side of the main body portion such that the lower edge of the right side of the main body portion is formed by the right triangular panel. The method can also include applying a high friction coating to an interior surface of the left and right side insert. The method can also include attaching one or more panels of an exterior layer of fabric that conceals the left and right side inserts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of an upper body garment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a back view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a left side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of an upper body garment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a back view of the embodiment of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 illustrates a left side view of the embodiment of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of an upper body garment.

FIG. 10 illustrates a back view of the embodiment of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 illustrates a right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 illustrates a left side view of the embodiment of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of an upper body garment.

FIG. 14 illustrates a back view of the embodiment of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 illustrates a right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 illustrates a left side view of the embodiment of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of an upper body garment.

FIG. 18 illustrates a back view of the embodiment of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 illustrates a right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 illustrates a left side view of the embodiment of FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of an upper body garment, wherein the garment is right side out.

FIG. 22 illustrates a back view of the embodiment of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 illustrates a right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 21, wherein the garment is turned inside out.

FIG. 24 illustrates a left side view of the embodiment of FIG. 21, wherein the garment is turned inside out.

FIG. 25 illustrates a right side view the embodiment of FIG. 21, turned right side out.

FIG. 26 illustrates a left side view of the embodiment of FIG. 21, turned right side out.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This description below refers to certain aspects of the garment relative to other aspects of the garment or to the body of a wearer. As used herein, superior indicates a direction that is closer to the wearer's head. Inferior indicates a direction that is closer to the wearer's feet. Upward, upper, or uppermost indicates a superior direction, or toward a wearer's head. Downward, lower, or lowermost indicates an inferior direction, or toward a wearer's feet. The longitudinal direction refers to an axis extending between the superior and inferior edges of the garment, or between the wearer's head and feet. Lateral indicates a positioning that is closer to the sides of the wearer. Medial indicates a positioning that is farther from the sides of the wearer. The terms right and left are in reference to the wearer's body. Some of the figures may include the letters R and L as right and left directional indicators.

As used herein, “inside out” means that the garment is flipped such that the surface intended to contact the wearer is visible from an exterior vantage point. By contrast, “right side out” indicates that the surface intended to be visible from an exterior vantage point is the outer surface of the garment, as intended.

The following description of certain examples of the inventive concepts should not be used to limit the scope of the claims. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description. As will be realized, the device and/or methods are capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit of the inventive concepts. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

For purposes of this description, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the embodiments of this disclosure are described herein. The described methods, systems, and apparatus should not be construed as limiting in any way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed toward all novel and nonobvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments, alone and in various combinations and sub-combinations with one another. The disclosed methods, systems, and apparatus are not limited to any specific aspect, feature, or combination thereof, nor do the disclosed methods, systems, and apparatus require that any one or more specific advantages be present or problems be solved.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties, or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

It should be appreciated that any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

It can be challenging to design knit shapewear garments that do not “ride up” on wearers. “Riding up” means that the lower edge of the garment slips or rolls upward on the wearer, which can be irritating and can cause bulging.

The disclosed upper body garments are designed to address the need for knit shapewear that stays in place, is not visible through outerwear, and is still able to provide excellent shaping. Particularly, the upper body garments include side inserts that help the lower edge of the main body portion to conform to the body of a wearer. In some embodiments, the side inserts stretch to a greater extent than the main body portion of the garment. These side inserts allow the diameter of the lower portion of the garment to adapt to the individual wearer's lower abdominal shape, which in turn reduces the tendency of the garment to ride up the middle abdomen of the wearer. It also reduces bulging and discomfort around the lower edge of the garment.

FIG. 1 shows the front side of an upper body garment 1 as disclosed herein. FIG. 2 shows the back side of the same upper body garment. FIGS. 3 and 4 show right and left sides of the upper body garment 1, respectively. The described embodiment is depicted as a tank top. However, in order to achieve the benefits disclosed herein, the side inserts may be applied to a variety of upper body garments, such as, but not limited to, camisoles, tank tops, waist cinchers, corsets, short sleeve garments such as t-shirts, three-quarter length sleeve garments, or long sleeve garments. Furthermore, the concept of including side inserts to improve fit can also apply to slips, half-slips, and other lower body garments to help the lower edge of the main body portion conform to the body of the wearer.

As shown in FIG. 1, main body portion 3 covers the wearer's shoulders, chest, upper abdomen, and a portion of the lower abdomen. Left and right side inserts 5, 7 are attached to the main body portion 3. The lower edge 9 of the upper body garment, which runs the circumference of the upper body garment 1, is partially defined by the lower edges 11, 13 of the left and right side inserts 5, 7. The left and right side inserts 5, 7 extend upward from the left and right portions 11, 13 of the lower edge 9.

In some embodiments, the left and right side inserts 5, 7 are less compressive than the main body portion 3. That is, the left and right side inserts 5, 7 exert less compressive force on the wearer than the main body portion (for example, at a location on the main body portion immediately adjacent to the side insert). For example, the inserts can have higher elongation and can stretch to a greater degree than the main body portion.

In some embodiments, the left and right side inserts 5, 7 widen as they extend toward the lower edge 9 of the upper body garment 1. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the left and right side inserts 5, 7 can be triangular in shape. However, some embodiments may include semicircular left and right side inserts 23, 25 (FIGS. 5-8) that widen as they extend toward the lower edge. Alternatively, some embodiments may include elliptical left and right side inserts 27, 29 (FIGS. 9-12), square left and right side inserts 31, 33, (FIGS. 13-16) or rectangular left and right side inserts 35, 37 (FIGS. 17-20). Certain embodiments can include alternative placement of the inserts. For example, in some embodiments, the two inserts can be offset from the sides, or the two inserts can be placed at the center front and the center back of the garment. While the embodiments shown herein include two inserts, other embodiments can include other numbers of inserts (including 1 insert, 3 inserts, 4 inserts, 5 inserts, 6 inserts, 7 inserts, 8 inserts, 9 inserts, 10 inserts, or more than 10 inserts positioned around the circumference of the lower edge of the garment).

The upper body garment can include left and right lateral side seams 8, 10 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The lateral seams 8, 10 can extend downward from left and right arm holes 12, 14 of the main body portion 3 to left and right superior edges 16, 18 of the left and right side inserts 5, 7.

The left and right side inserts 5, 7 can be attached to the main body portion 3 by any form of attachment known in the art. In one embodiment, the left and right side inserts 5, 7 are attached by one or more seams. For example, the right triangular insert 7 shown in FIG. 3 is attached by a front insert seam 15 and a back insert seam 17. The left triangular insert 5 shown in FIG. 4 is attached by a front insert seam 19 and a back insert seam 21. In some embodiments, the front insert seam is continuous with the lateral side seam. In other embodiments, the back insert seam is continuous with the lateral side seam. In other, further embodiments, the lateral side seam is distinct from the front and the back insert seams. In still further embodiments, a single seam is used to attach the side insert to the main body portion, and the single seam is distinct from the lateral side seam.

The main body portion 3 can be formed of a knit material. The side inserts are formed of a material that helps the lower edge conform to the body and, in some embodiments, the side inserts have a higher elongation than the main body portion fabric. Higher elongation enables the side inserts 5, 7 to stretch to a greater extent than the main body portion 3 of the garment to achieve the benefits discussed above. In some embodiments, the fabric of the left and right side inserts 5, 7 has a spandex content from 20% to 60%, including from 20% to 25%, from 25% to 30%, from 30% to 35%, from 35% to 40%, from 40% to 45%, from 45% to 50%, from 50% to 55%, and from 55% to 60%. As used herein, the term spandex can also refer to the polyurethanes also known as elastane, Lycra, and Dorlastan. The left and right side inserts 5, 7 can include other fibers such as, but not limited to, nylon, rayon, cotton, modal, and polyester.

In some embodiments, the fabric of the left and right side inserts 5, 7 is formed of a hosiery-like material, or a hosiery material (a material formed using a hosiery knitting machine). Hosiery materials are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,654,115, wherein the brassiere can be formed of a hosiery material, and in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/964,516, wherein the gusset panel can be formed of a hosiery material. U.S. Pat. No. 7,654,115 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/964,516 are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

In other embodiments, the left and right side inserts 5, 7 can be formed of the same fabric as the main body portion 3. As such, the left and right side inserts 5, 7 can have the same level of compression as the main body portion 3. Or, alternatively, the main body portion 3 may be formed of the same fabric as the left and right side inserts 5, 7, but the main body portion 3 may be treated by a process that enables it to provide more compressive force to the wearer than the left and right side inserts 5, 7. Or, the main body portion 3 may be formed of the same fabric as the left and right side inserts 5, 7, but the left and right side inserts 5, 7 may be treated with a process that reduces the compressive force that they exert on the wearer (relative to the main body portion 3).

In still other embodiments, the left and right side inserts 5, 7 are formed of a gripping fabric. Gripping fabrics, which have exposed elastic threads on at least one surface, are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/967,803 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/962,132, which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. Here, the left and right side inserts 5, 7 can have an interior surface with exposed elastic threads that are configured to directly contact the body of the wearer. The gripping fabric assists in preventing the lower portion of the garment from riding up the abdomen of the wearer.

In some embodiments, the inner surfaces of the left and right side inserts 5, 7 can include a high friction coating. The coating has a higher coefficient of friction than the side insert material immediately surrounding the coating to hold the garment in place on the wearer. The coating can be, for example a polymer. In some embodiments, the high friction coating is a polymer. In some embodiments the high friction coating is one or more silicone beads.

In some embodiments, the left and right side inserts are not visible on the exterior surface of the upper body garment. Such an embodiment is shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, which show front and back views of a garment with hidden left and right side inserts. The left and right side inserts and the main body portion are not visible on the exterior surface of the garment because they are covered by front and back panels 38, 39 of an exterior layer of fabric. However, the left and right side inserts can be seen when the garment is turned inside out. FIGS. 23 and 24 show the inside out side views of the embodiment of FIGS. 21 and 22, with the left and right side inserts 43, 45 visible between front and back panels 40, 42 of the main body portion. FIGS. 25 and 26 show left and right side views of the embodiment of FIGS. 21 and 22, turned right side out. Front and back panels 38, 39 of the exterior layer of fabric extend over the front side 57 and the back side 47 of the garment, attaching to the rest of the garment along the left and right lateral side seams 49, 51, which extend all the way down to the bottom edge of the garment and effectively hide the underlying inserts 43, 45. Alternatively, a single panel of the exterior layer can extend over the front side of the garment, attaching along left and right lateral side seams and left and right back insert seams to hide the inserts, or, a single panel of the exterior layer can extend over the back side of the garment, attaching along left and right side seams and left and right front insert seams to hide the inserts. In some embodiments, the exterior layer of fabric may be a single panel that extends fully over the front and back of a main body portion. In some embodiments, panels of the exterior layer of fabric may be smaller than the fabric panels making up the main body portion, but large enough to conceal the left and right side inserts. For example, there may be two panels of the exterior fabric layer, layered over the left and the right side inserts, respectively, to conceal them. These two panels may be attached along the same seams that attach the insert to the main body portion, or they may be attached along different seams of the garment.

Methods of making the upper body garment are disclosed herein. The methods include providing a main body portion and providing left and right side inserts. Each of the left and right side inserts are configured to facilitate conformation of the lower edge of the main body portion to the wearer. In some embodiments, the left and right side inserts are less compressive than the main body portion (that is, the inserts stretch to a greater degree than the main body portion). The methods further include attaching the left and right side inserts 5, 7 to the main body portion 3 such that, as shown in FIG. 1, the side inserts define left and right portions 11, 13 of the lower edge 9 of the upper body garment 1. The inserts 5, 7 extend upward from the lower edge 9.

In some embodiments, providing left and right side inserts is accomplished by cutting left and right side triangular panels from a fabric having a spandex content of from 20% to 60%. The main body portion has left and right triangular shaped gaps into which the inserts will be inserted. The gaps in the main body portion could be formed by, for example, cutting out the gaps (such as if the main body portion had been seamlessly formed). Alternatively, the gaps can be formed by attaching narrowing front and back panels of the main body portion using lateral side seams. If each of the front and back panels of the main body portion narrow as they extend toward the lower edge, they create triangular gaps at the lower lateral sides of the garment into which the inserts can be inserted. The left and right side inserts can be attached by, for example, stitching the triangular panel to the main body portion such that the lower edges of the left and right sides of the main body portion are formed by the triangular panels. Alternatively, the inserts can be attached to the main body portion by bonding processes and/or adhesives. The methods can alternatively include attaching inserts of non-triangular shapes (for example semicircular, elliptical, square or rectangular inserts) into non-triangular side gaps of the main body portion. Finally, some embodiments can include applying a high friction coating to interior surfaces of the left and right side inserts. Other embodiments of the methods do not include applying a high friction coating to the interior surfaces of the left and right side inserts.

Embodiments with hidden inserts can be formed by, for example, extending panels of an exterior layer of fabric over the main body portion and the left and right inserts, and attaching the panels of the exterior layer of fabric along left and right lateral side seams.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The implementation was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various implementations with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

1. An upper body garment comprising: a main body portion comprising a lower edge, left and right side inserts attached to the main body portion, wherein the left and right side inserts at least partially define left and right portions of the lower edge of the upper body garment and extend upward from the left and right portions of the lower edge, and wherein the left and right side inserts are configured to facilitate conformation of the lower edge of the main body portion to a wearer.
 2. The upper body garment of claim 1, wherein the left and right side inserts widen as they extend toward the lower edge of the upper body garment.
 3. The upper body garment of claim 2, wherein the left and right side inserts are triangular in shape.
 4. The upper body garment of claim 1, wherein the left and right side inserts are attached to the main body portion by one or more seams.
 5. The upper body garment of claim 1, further comprising left and right lateral side seams extending from left and right arm holes of the main body portion to a superior edge of the left and right side inserts.
 6. The upper body garment of claim 5, wherein the left lateral side seam is continuous with either a front left insert seam or a back left insert seam, and the right lateral side seam is continuous with either a front right insert seam or a back right insert seam.
 7. The upper body garment of claim 1, wherein the main body portion comprises a knit material.
 8. The upper body garment of claim 1, wherein a fabric of the left and right side inserts comprise spandex.
 9. The upper body garment of claim 1, wherein the fabric of the left and right side inserts is a hosiery or hosiery-like material.
 10. The upper body garment of claim 1, further comprising a high friction coating positioned on an inner surface of the left and right side inserts, wherein the coating has a higher coefficient of friction than the material immediately surrounding the coating.
 11. The upper body garment of claim 1, wherein an interior surface of the left and right side regions comprise a region with exposed elastic threads configured to directly contact the body of the wearer.
 12. The upper body garment of claim 1, wherein the left and right side inserts are less compressive than the main body portion.
 13. The upper body garment of claim 12, wherein the left and right side inserts have a higher elongation than the main body portion.
 14. The upper body garment of claim 1, wherein the left and right side inserts are not visible on the exterior surface of the upper body garment.
 15. The upper body garment of claim 14, further comprising an exterior layer of fabric, wherein the exterior layer of fabric conceals the left and right side inserts.
 16. A method of making an upper body garment, the method comprising: providing a main body portion comprising a lower edge, providing left and right side inserts, each of the left and right side inserts being less compressive than the main body portion, attaching the left side insert to the main body portion such that the left side insert defines a left portion of the lower edge of the upper body garment and extends upward from the left portion of the lower edge, and attaching the right side insert to the main body portion such that the right side insert defines a right portion of the lower edge of the upper body garment and extends upward from the right portion of the lower edge, wherein the left and right side inserts are configured to facilitate conformation of a lower edge of the main body portion to a wearer.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein providing left and right side inserts comprises cutting triangular panels from a fabric comprising spandex.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein providing a main body portion comprises providing a main body portion with left and right triangular shaped gaps.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein attaching the left and right side inserts comprises stitching a left triangular panel to the left side of the main body portion such that the lower edge of the left side of the main body portion is formed by the left triangular panel, and stitching a right triangular panel to the right side of the main body portion such that the lower edge of the right side of the main body portion is formed by the right triangular panel.
 20. The method of claim 16, further comprising applying a high friction coating to an interior surface of the left and right side insert.
 21. The method of claim 16, further comprising attaching one or more panels of an exterior layer of fabric that conceals the left and right side inserts. 